The Portland daily press., 1887-02-25
The PhIIosophy OF Expression


To the Editor Of the Press:
So much is being said and written on elo-
cution. with reference to the Delsarte Sys-
TEN, that wish to make some explanation,
through your columns, as to its bearing on
expression. These principles are without
doubt exerting much influence in the right
direction. but there Is large class Of gener-
ally well-informed people who have the i'm
preston that TO study Delsarte Is TO study
how to gestieulate. If any OF my readers
should have entertained this narrow estimate
Of the Delsarte Philosophy. and should real
ly desire to know what grand body Of truth
exists upon the subject we urge such an
inquirer TO read Professor Moses True
Browns new book. The leading elocution-
lists Of the country admit that for the first time
in the history of the science Of expression.
its PRINCIPLES have found an adequate expo
nent in Professor Browns synthetic Phil
osophy Of Expression" Delsarte taught
what he called "The Science Of Expressive
Man" The Delsarte philosophy Is branch
Of that division Of human knowledge psy-
chOlogy and this body Of knowledge may be
called the Science Of Manifestation. SO to
think Of this method as a system Of gesture
only Is to think Of it narrowly, as the follow
ing definition will show: Expression Is the
interior mind or soul manifesting itself
through the exterior, substance or body.
LIT is mind, or soul. which is interior:
and IL Is this essence which seeks 70 express
or dramatize itself.
At is organized matter. OF body, which Is
exterior; and 1t is this material element
through which expression or dramatiZatiOn
is made; and this whole of being Delsarte
calls the organism. So we may state, a new
definition Of expression.
Expression Is the exterior in motion:
moved from the interior, or OratOry Is that
language Of the whole organism by which
man instructs, moves, and persuades his
fellOw-men.
If II be the exterior In motion that we re-
cOgniZe as expression, then al expression Is
gesture. And so, Delsarte gives us three
modes Of motion to express three states Of
the soul, and through three special instru-
ments. This outcome Of gestures Of the ex-
terror moved by the interior, we all recogni-
zed as l. the Voice: H. The play Of the face.
hand and torso Ill. Articulation.
Let us examine briefly these modes OF ex-
preston. l. Voice Is the gesture OF the lar
ynx crude and physical in animals next be-
low men, growing into infected and musical
tones in the man as he emerges from the
savage TO civilized conditions.
III. The body In motion, especially In the
play Of the hand, face and torso, Is a wonder
ful means by which the human soul mani
tests its threefOld nature.
Ill. Articulation Is the gesture Of tongue
and lips. Primitive man used a crude animal
voice, with frightfully significant gestures
expressions Of animal appetites and gross.
passions. Only with a growth Of brain-sub-
stance came a growth Of thinking power, a
use Of hands to fashion rude forms Of art,
and finally articulation. We may state the
Delsarte philosophy. then, l. An attempt
to discover and formulate the general laws
governing expressions Of voice, gesture, and
articulate speech. III. An attempt 10 apply
these general laws to special classes. III.
To perseveringly practice modes Of expires
sion thus found, remembering, there can be
no adequate expression with an inadequate
technique.
In conclusion the reproaeh urged against
elocutiOn by many thinking and reasoning
people, is that Ii substitutes form for sub
stance. Its eOmmonplaceness Is with those
that practice It,
A stream can not rise higher than It's source
without pumping, and too much attention Is
paid to yocalizatioD and too little to mental
iZatiOn.
We would say to every student OF elocutlon.
cultivate your mind ten hours, while YOU
practice Your voice two. Then expression
Shall be an established branch OF edNfatloh'
as we'll taught as any other art;
SARAH Il. LAuGHfON,
Teacher Of Elocution in State Normal school.